Apparatus for making sliver



APPARATUS FOR MAKING SLIFVER I 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed May 21, 1937 Aunnuuiii" GeaMLanrzan,

' FPank Yanurcz' INVENTOR-S A TTORNEYJ p 9," I 'GQ'MLANNAN E'T-AL 2,239,722.

" APPARATUS FOR :MAKING SLIVER v Originai Filed May 21, 1937 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Q I EamMLanrzan Frank Vanucci INVENTORJ' A TTORNE YJ' April 29, 1941. LANNA'N L 2,239,722

APPARATUS FOR MAKING SLIVER Original Filed May 21, 1937 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Ben. ML annan,

Frank Vammml 11v VENTO/q' A fro/mam Patented- Apr. 29, 1941 APPARATUS FOR MAKING suvna George M.

Lannan and Frank Vanncci, Newark,

Ohio, assignors, by mesne assignments, to

Owens-Corning ration of Delaware Fiberglas Corporation, a. corpo- Application May 21, 1937, SerialNo. 144,024

. Renewed November 13, 1939 J 9 Claims.

our invention relates to novel methods for manufacturing and roving sliver for yarns. The apparatus herein disclosed is particularly adapted'for use in the manufacture of sliver consisting of fine-fibers made of glass or similar material which is melted, drawn into fine fibers and formed into a strand or sliver by a continuous process. The invention, however, is adapted for use with other materials. a

An object of our invention is to provide a novel method and means for producing a smooth sliver in which ragged edges or loose fiber ends are folded into or enmeshed in the main body of the sliver so that .thelatter is made smooth and free from projecting fiber ends or loose fuzz.

In the manufacture of sliver consisting of fibers of glass or similar material, a method for making the sliver by a continuous process is described and claimed in the copending application of Tucker and Lannan, Serial Number 52,085, filed November 29, 1935. In this method, the molten material is caused to fiowdn a multiplicity of fine streams which are continuously drawn to extremely fine filaments by the application thereto of a blast of steam or other gas. The fibers as they are produced are accumulated in the form of a web which is continuously drawn through a trumpet or the like by which the fibers are caused to assume the form of a sliver which is continuously wound on a roll or tube.

As the web of filaments is drafted into a slive there is a tendency to leave ragged edges and much loose fuzz or protruding fiber ends so that the resulting sliver is more or less uneven and fuzzy. An object of our invention is to provide means for folding in or smoothing down all ragged edges and protruding fibers soas to produce a smooth, even sliver.

A further object of the invention is to provide means for roving or producing more or less of a false twist of the sliver by which loosefiber ends are folded in or wrapped around the body of the sliver and by which the strength and elasticity of the sliver are greatly increased and an improved product obtained, Other objects of inafter.

Referringto the accompanying drawings: Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic part-sectional elevathe invention will appear heresliver made with the apparatus shown in Figs. 1 and 2;

Fig. 4 is a sectional form of apparatus;

Fig, 5 is an edge view of one of the shaping rolls shown in Fig. 4;

' Fig, 6 is a sectional elevation of a further modification including a rotating element or twister; '7 is an elevation of the twister shown in g. i Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a fragment of elevation of a modified sliver produced with the apparatus shown in Figs.

Figs, 9 to inclusive illustrate still another form of apparatus comprising rotating means for treating the sliver;

Fig. 13 is a section at the line l3-I3 on Fig.

I 10; and

tionview of an apparatus for making glass sliver I in accordance with our invention;

Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation on a larger scale, the section being taken at the line 2-2 on Fig. 1; Fig, 3 is a perspective view 0! a fragment of Figs, 14 and 15 are perspective views of the gisaslsembled parts of the spinner shown in Figs.

to 3. 1 Figures 1 and 2 illustrate one form of apparatus which we employ for continuously flowing small streams of molten glass or other material, reducing the material to fine fibers, collecting and drawing them in the form or a strand or sliver, and winding the sliver on a spool or roll. The

molten glass flows continuously in a multiplicity of fine streams from outlets 20 in the floor or a glass melting andreiining tank or other container 2|. The streams of molten glass flow downward through a blower 22 which may be of conventional construction, to which steam or other gas at high pressure is supplied, The streams of molten glass, as they flow downward through the blower, are enveloped in a steam blast or blasts issuing from the blower, and are thereby drawn out and attenuated to the mm of extremely fine fibers 23 which are immediately cooled and solidified by the enveloping medium.

These fibers may be only a few microns in diameter and some orthem are practically continuous or of great length, They are carried downward by the force or the blast and deposited 'on a. foraminous support 2|, here shown as a wire screen in. the form of a traveling conveyor,

preferably an endless conveyor which passes over -a driving roll 24 and is driven continuously thereby. A suction box 25 is located beneath the conveyor. The air or gas is continuously exhausted from the suction box, thereby maintaining a down draft through the screen which supplements the action of the steam blast in drawing and depositing the fibers on the screen. The fibers accumulate in the form of a thin mat or web on the surface of the conveyor.

The speed of the conveyor 24 is many times less than the velocity imparted to the fibers by the steam blast, so that the individual-fibers as they are deposited on the screen are doubled back and forth in zigzag or more or less irregular formation. This results in the group of fibers taken as a whole being distributed quite evenly on the screen in a ribbon-like network or web in which the fibers are matted and interwoven to some extent. The web or ribbon of fibers may bevery thin and of open texture, comparable to aribbon of gauze, the fibers for the most partlying substantially in a single plane. This web is continuously drawn from the screen by a process which reforms the web into a strand or sliver in which the fibers for the most part extend lengthwise of the sliver in substantial parallelism, as indicated in Fig. 3, which shows a fragmentary section of the silver 26 on an enlarged scale.

The sliver 26 as it is formed is wound on a rapidly rotating spool or roll 21 which serves as a drafting means for drawing the Web continuously from the screen conveyor, the web being transformed into the form of a sliver during its passage from the conveyor to the spool 21 by means which will presently be described. During the drawing process, the web of fibers which, as formed on the screen may be of considerable width, for example, from a few inches to a foot or more in width,-is converged or narrowed down, folded or rolled together with the edges of the web folded and embedded within the body of I the web, and compacted to form. the sliver.

' The surface speed of the roll 21 and the accumulated material thereon may be many times greater than that of the conveyor 24, although usually many times less than the speed imparted to the fibers by the blower 22. As a result, the web during its transition to the form of a sliver is subjected to a drawing or roving process by which the individual fibers are straightened out to some degree to bring them into line with the sliver.

During this drawing operation the suction within the box 25 serves as an anchor to hold the web against the screen. Owing to the great velocity with which the fibers are drawn out and projected onto the screen, each individual fiber when incorporated in the sliver will be doubled back and forth in a considerable number of lengths, which may either remain united or the fiber may be broken up to a greater or less degree into separate lengths. It will also be noted that the above described method produces a sliver in which the number of individual fibers in a cross-section thereof is many times greater than the number of fibers which are being produced bythe action of the blower and deposited on the screen but may also be much less than the number of fibers in a cross-section of the web as it leaves the screen.

When a web of glass fibers such as herein disclosed, is drafted from the screen conveyor by means heretofore used, there is a tendency to leave ragged edges, projectin fiber ends and loose fuzz, so that the resulting silver is uneven, fuzzy,

and its commercial value thereby lowered, In

order -to overcome these objections, the present invention provides a, method in which the web is drawn through a trumpet-shaped die 28 designed to roll the web into rounded, compact form, fold in the ragged edges of the web and enmesh the loose fibers in the main body of the silver. The trumpet 28 is funnel-shaped, the smaller end portion 29 thereof being approximately a. cardioid or substantially heart-shaped in cross-section, as shown in Fig. 2. The upper side of the trumpet is open or cut away, providing downwardly convergent walls 30 terminating in an opening 3i. This construction permits the web or strand to be readily positioned within the trumpet when initiating the drawing operations. A toe 33 is positioned within and extends lengthwise of the constricted end 29 of the trumpet. As the web is drawn through the trumpet, the die 29 compacts the web, rolling the edges inwardly in cardioid form, so that they are embedded in the body of the sliver. During this formation of the sliver the web is wrapped around the toe 33, which materially assists in shaping the sliver and in folding in any loose fiber ends or ragged edges. The

die also licks down any loose fibers or projecting fiber ends, so that the resulting sliver or strand is smooth, of even diameter and free from fuzziness or loose fibers.

As the sliver advances beyond the die, it is passed through a guiding ring 35. Thence it is led between a pair of iron rolls 36 or the like, by which it is compressed into a smooth fiat sliver. A driving roll 31 cooperates with the roll 21 for winding the sliver.

Figs. 4 and 5 illustrate a modified form of apparatus for handling the sliver after it passes beyond the shaping die. As here shown, the sliver after it leaves the die 29 is drawn over shaping rolls 38 and 39. The roll 38, as shown in Fig. 5, is formed with a peripheral groove or recess 40 which is substantially V-shaped in cross-section, the sides of the recess converging at an acute angle. The roll 39 is of the same construction. As the sliver passes over the roll 38 it is compacted by the walls of the angular groove 40, which tend to fold in any loose fibers or protruding ends. After leaving the roll 38 the sliver traverses the lower surfaceof the roll 39, passing through the groove 40 therein, which completes the operation of smoothing or ironing out the sliver. Beyond the roll 39 thesliver is directed through an oscillating guide 4| and thence through a reciprocating guide 4i by which the sliver is distributed on the winding spool.

Figs. 6 and 7 illustrate a construction embodyinga rotor or rotating die 42 which operates to give a false twist to the sliver. The rotor is in the form of a pulley mounted for rotation in a standard 43, and is driven at a high speed by a belt 44. The sliver 26 after passing through the trumpet 28 is directed through an opening 45 which extends through the rotor eccentrically of its axis. From the opening 45 the sliver is guided diagonally downward through a channel 46 to a central opening 41 in a hub or extension 48 of the rotor. From thence the sliver extends to the winding roll 21.

As the silver is drawn through the rapidly spinning'die 42, the latter operates to wrap any ragged edges of the web or sliver, and any loose fibers or protruding fiber ends, around the main body of the sliver, licking down any loose fibers. This operation results in a smooth, even, compact, well rounded sliver free from fuzziness, loose fibers or protruding fiber ends. I As indicated in Fig. 8, any

- opposite end of the die, the opening is loose fibers 49 are licked down or; wrapped spirally around the body of the silver in a manner to impart to the sliver a well rounded, smooth finish.

Figs. 9 to 15, inclusive,'illustrate a modified form of rotor or die, driven by an air turbine. In this construction, the die 50, which is circular in cross-section, is provided with an opening extending lengthwise therethrough, through which the sliver is drawn. The opening 5i at the discharge end of the die is rectangular in crosssection and preferably quite narrow, being only of suflicient width to allow the free passage of the sliver therethrough. At

circular and approximately the full diameter of the die. The walls 53 are tapered or converge from the entrance 52 in conical formation and merge into the walls of the rectangular channel 5|. The die 50 is divided-lengthwise into two separable sections, the upper or cover section 54 being removable in the manner hereinafter described to facilitate the placing of the sliver therein.

Surrounding the die a head portion 55 and a tubular extension or body 56 which surrounds the die 50. The turbine is iournaled in a stationary bearing block 51 having a cylindrical opening 58 extending therethrough to receive the hub extension 56 of the turbine. The turbine head 55 is formed with'an annular series of angular channels 59 extending transversely therethrough and arranged in herring-bone fashion, for the passage of air, steam 50 is a turbine comprising ribbon-like mat or web continuously drawing a of fibers in the direction of its length, a shaping die through which the web is drawn and by which it is compacted into the form of a sliver, and rotating means arranged to engage a sliver after it has Passed comprising means for through said die and operative to lick or wipe down any loose fibers or projecting fiber ends the entrance 52 at the and thereby form a smooth sliver.

2. App ratus for forming sliver, comprising means fo continuously forminga web of loosely matted fibers, means for continuously drawing the web to form a sliver, a die through which the web is'drawn and by which it is compacted and shaped, and an air turbine comprising a power driven element mounted for rotation about a stationary axis, said die being mounted within said element and rotated thereby about said axis.

3. In apparatus for forming sliver, a rotatable die having a die opening extending therethrough.

1 said opening being rectangular in cross-section at or other gas for driving the turbine. Air under pressure may be supplied to the turbine through a pipe 60 opening into a chamber or channel 6| from which branch passageways 62 extend diagonally and open through the wall of the bearing block in juxtaposition to the rotating turbine head 55. The inclined passageways 62 are arranged to register with the correspondingly inclined openings 59 in the turbine, so that the latter is driven by the'air pressure. The air as discharged from the channels 59 passes through openings 53 formed in a guard plate 64' bolted to the bearing block and overhanging the head 55. The plate 64 serves to prevent endwise movement of the turbine.

The turbine is divided lengthwise into two separable sections including an upper or cover section 65 corresponding to the two sections of the die 50. The cover section 65 is attached by a screw 66 to the cover section 54 of the die. A screw $6 secures the die 50 in place within the turbine. The cover piece 65 is formed with ribs 61 extending lengthwise thereof, which fit-in corresponding grooves or guideways 68 formed in the main section or body of the turbine. The

cover sections 54 and 65 may be removed asa unit by sliding them lengthwise of the turbine. An opening 69 is formed in the upper part of the bearing block 51 to permit access to the turbine and to the passageway 5| when the covers 54, 65

are removed. A hinged lid I0 covers the open-v ing 69. The die illustrated in Figs. 9 to 15 operates on the sliver in a manner substantially similar to that above described in connection with the die shown in Figs. 6 and 7. Any loose fibers or fiber ends are licked down and wrapped about the body of the sliver, the latter being compacted and given an even shape and smooth surface by the action of the rotating die.

Modifications may be resorted to within the spirit and scope of our invention.

We claim: I

1. Apparatus for forming a strand or sliver and adjacent one end of the die, the opening being circular at the opposite end of the die with the walls of the opening converging inwardly and merging into the walls of said rectangular section of the opening.

4. In apparatus for forming sliver, a rotatable die having a die opening extending therethrough, said opening being rectangular in cross-section at and adjacent one end of the die, the opening being circular at the opposite end of the die with the walls of the opening converging inwardly and merging into the walls of said rectangular section of the opening, said-die being split longitudinally to provide a removable cover section which, when removed, exposes the die opening throughout its length.

5. A turbine having a cylindrical opening extending therethrough, a cylindrical die mounted within said opening, said die having a passageway extending lengthwise therethrough, and means for mounting the turbine and die for rotation about the axis of said die.

6. A turbine having a cylindrical opening extending therethrough, a cylindrical die mounted within said opening, said die having a passageway extending lengthwise therethrough, means for mounting the turbine and die for rotation about the axis of said die, said turbine and die each having a removable cover section, and means connecting said cover sections and permitting their removal as a unit, the cover section of said die providing the upper wall surface of the passageway through the die, whereby when said cover sections are removed said passageway is exposed throughout its length.

'7. Apparatus for forming strands or slivers, comprising a die or trumpet having a funnelshaped die opening extendingtherethrough, the diameter of the receiving end of said die opening being at least several times greater than that of the discharge end; and the walls of the die opening being convergent in substantially straight lines from the receiving end to the discharge end thereof, said discharge end being shaped to provide a substantially heart-shaped constricted discharge opening through which a web of fibers may be drawn.

8. Apparatus for forming strands or slivers, comprising a die or trumpet having a'funnelshaped die opening extending therethrough, the diameter of the receiving end of said die opening being at least several times greater than that of the discharge end, and the walls of the die opening being convergent in substantially straight vide a substantially heart-shaped constricted discharge opening through which a. web of fibers may be drawn, and a. shaping element projecting into said discharge opening and providinga means to assist in i'olding in the edges of the web as it is drawn through the die.

9. In'apparatus for forming sliver, a die having a die opening extending therethrough, a turbine 10 lines from the receivingend to the discharge end thereof, said discharge end being shaped to pro- GEORGE M. LANNAN. FRANK VANUCCI. 

